More vacation pictures

Everyone seems to be recovering from the bug that went around. I'd like to post a few more vacation pictures from my recent trip to Florida.

Savannah and I took in some much need sunshine. It was about 85 degrees this particular day we went to the beach. Much warmer than Indiana!!!

This is Jacob (a friend of the family) burying Adrian in the sand.

Austin searching for seashells to bring home to Indiana.

Jeremy did some fishing after entertaining the kids.

The kids body surfing. The water was cold (I thought) but it didn't stop the kids.

My Sister Finally has a blog!

Take a moment and visit Kelli's blog, and give her some encouragment and tips on blogging! Not only is she my sister, but also my best friend. She lives in Denver, and I get to see her once or twice a year. I saw this picture, and thought of her. She loves bunnies, and has 2 in her apartment.

Photo Tag: Bump!!

Steph, has a photo tag going on, and has asked us to post pregnant belly pictures. I should have had these up yesterday, but Savannah has been really sick.

I couldn't find the one I was looking for...so these will have to do. This is in 1997, 7 months pregnant with Jackson. Jeremy was in the army at the time.

Oh yes! I used to be bleach blond. Jeremy was teasing me last night while we were looking at these, that I was an Anna Nicole Smith look alike (in the hair department anyway ;) )

Sick day.

Savannah has had "the crud" since we returned from Florida, the works: congestion, cough, fever, and vomiting. She has finally broken her fever, whew!

So, we are playing "hookey" from church today, to recooperate. It's so wierd being home without any boys (Jeremy took them to church, and will be gone most of the day). I have a nice, quiet house to snuggle with my sick baby. I was going to take a pic of her for my blog, but she looks way too pitiful, poor little thing. I've attached another Florida picture instead :)

Are You Coming?

Here's the deal. 5 minutes For Mom is hosting The Ultimate Blog party.

I am the hostess of this party. So come on in (to my blog), and look around!

I just returned from vacation, so be sure to check out my Florida pictures. Please be sure to say hello to the kids, they love parties. Want to learn a little more about me? My 100 post should fill you in.

Why am I doing this? Because I love FREE STUFF!! And I want to win prize #1, that's why!

More to come, this party is just getting started!!!

Virtual DNA

I found this at Adventures In Babywearing, head over there, to see Steph's.

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

More vacation memories...

We found our favorite restaurant, Flounders. When we lived in Pensacola it was our favorite beachside hang out.

We hung out with the locals. Notice Adrian staring at the statue trying to figure out if he is real or not.

Silly boys!!!

Two milestones..

While vacationing Savannah started to wave hello, and bye-bye. Not probably very excting to most people, but to a mommy, it's just amazing :) Yes, I find joy in the silly, little things.

She also had her first ever "sink bath". Which, turns out, she likes much better than her regular tubby!

Dinosaur Adventure Land: A Creation Science Museum

We took the opportunity to use our holiday as an educational experience. We took the kids to Dinosaur Adventure Land, in Pensacola Florida, a creation science museum founded by Dr. Kent Hovind, a creation scientist. It was a fun and educational experience for us, and the kids.

“Evolutionism is a religious worldview not supported by science, Scripture, popular opinion, or common sense. The exclusive teaching of this dangerous, mind-altering philosophy in tax-supported schools, parks, museums, etc. is a clear violation of the First Amendment.”

- Dr. Kent Hovind

Austin got his name on the "All Time World Record" board, for completing an obstacle course in record time! He beat the record by about 5 seconds! Good job buddy!!!

About Creation Science Evangelism
Author: Dr. Kent Hovind

Creation Science Evangelism was started in 1989 by Dr. Kent Hovind (a high-school science teacher for 15 years). This ministry exists to support and proclaim the truth of God's Word, demonstrating the perfect harmony of the Biblical record with factual science and history.
Additionally, CSE sets out to demonstrate the fallacies and deceptions of modern evolutionary thinking. We believe the Bible is literally true and scientifically accurate. We believe the earth was created in six literal, 24-hour days, about 6000 years ago. We believe dinosaurs have always lived with man. They were called "dragons" throughout most of human history. Noah took them on the ark (probably juveniles--just be sure to get a pink one and a blue one!). After the Flood, people killed most of them. There are probably a few small ones still alive today in remote parts of the world. See our video, Dinosaurs and the Bible for much more on the topic.

We're Back!

We got back from Florida Monday morning. We had a wonderful time. It was so warm, sunny and beautiful there. We haven't taken a family vacation in such a long time, it was refreshing. I will share some memories and pictures this week.

When we got there, it was a little chilly. That didn't stop us from heading directly to the beach.

We're leaving for Florida!!!!

We will back in a week or so, with lots of pictures!

Have a good week, try to stay warm! :)

Staci

Life's Lessons
by Jim O'Brien

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, and wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, and then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. ...
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

my driveway ??? (above)

And it's STILL snowing....

We leave for Florida in exactly one week. And we. can't. wait. Jeremy said we may even leave early (Hooray!)

Some pictures from Adrian's birthday last week. Among other things...he got new cowboy guns, cowboy boots, and had to wear his hat. I thought this picture was hilarious.
I always let the boys pick what kind of dinner and birthday cake they want. He picked chocolate AND cherry cake...so this is about as good as I could do! Black Forest!?!?

Yes, he's still in his jammies (mismatched camo pants with Superman shirt)

Thank you for all of the birthday wishes, and gifts. He had a wonderful day. :)

July 1999

My Two Cents

By: Debi Pearl at www.nogreaterjoy.org

At least 3 people a day write and ask me what my views are on breast feeding.
It seems to be a major issue causing a great deal of confusion and uncertainty. What surprises me is how for the last 6000 years babies have been born, were nursed, and grew up to be emotionally and physically healthy without anyone telling their mama's how and when to nurse them. But since so many have asked, I thought I would give you my 2 cents worth as well. I covered the same subject on Mail Box Tape #3.

Nursing is instinctual, in the baby and the mother. It is so natural that I never dreamed it could be made into an issue. Let me tell you, cows are different one from the other. That's right COWS. Don’t get upset with me for introducing animals into a high and noble subject like human breast feeding. It is the loss of such knowledge that has caused this controversy in the first place. Beef cows can let their calves nurse all and any time they want, because they don't have much milk. Whereas Jersey calves would die if they nursed any time they wanted, because Jersey cows have too much milk, and so the calves only get the sugar milk. People are very much like cows in respect to nursing. Some are beef stock and some are Jersey. When a cow first delivers, she produces colostrum just as a human does. The newborn baby or calf needs all the colostrum it can get. It is a natural antibiotic for the baby, as well as serving other vital purposes. A cow and a mother only produce colostrum for 5 or 10 days, and then her real milk comes in. When the mother's milk comes in she usually has far more than her baby can use. Thus the baby nurses only part of the breast and never really drains the breast dry. That is a problem. Any mother who has had a baby with colic and diarrhea can attest to this. Just like that Jersey calf, the baby is getting too much “first milk”—not colostrum, that ceased after about 10 days. At each nursing, when a mother's milk first lets down, it is “sugar milk.” It is light blue and clear. As you milk the cow, or the baby nurses the mother, and the breasts begin to empty, the milk gets thicker and creamier. The very last milk left in the breast is cream, full of fat and very filling to the baby. When a baby gets a belly full of creamy milk he will not be hungry for several hours. If the baby gets the thin, clear, light blue, sugar milk he will be hungry in 2 hours and have a tummy ache with diarrhea to follow.

Herein lies wisdom. Use common sense. All down through the ages people raised animals, thus had enough common sense to know how to adjust their nursing problems based on the common knowledge learned from raising animals.

Do you have a colicky baby? Maybe he is getting too much sugar milk and not enough cream. Do you have a baby that is too fat? Maybe you need to increase your milk supply (try lots of water, Blessed Thistle and Brewers yeast) so the baby will not get so much cream. Does your baby wake every 2 hours and need to nurse? Maybe you need to manually expel some of your sugar milk so your baby will not get a “temporary full” but keep nursing to get some thick creamy milk as well. Should you let your baby cry-and-cry at night to train him not to nurse every 2 hours? Think. If the baby nursed 2 hours before and did not get anything but sugar milk, and he is starving, are you making your baby healthy by training him to endure hunger?
The new system of scheduling is designed to help the average mama that doesn't know anything about nursing to get the baby to be so hungry that he drains her dry, which allows the child to get sugar milk and the rich creamy milk as well. This “scheduling” has its good points and its bad points, as does indiscriminant “nursing on demand.”

There is the other side of the controversy— “nursing on demand.” This is more consistent with nature, because the baby knows when it is hungry. It is the way women all down through the ages have nursed. And it has worked for 6000 years. But we are a people who have lost our natural instincts of nursing and child training due to leaving the work God gave Adam. Working in a garden and dealing with animals teaches people a lot of common sense things that are missing in this technological culture. Therefore a young mother who has a new baby and is uncertain, knowing nothing of the natural workings of the body, will grab the baby up every time he fusses, thinking he is hungry. Thus the baby is constantly getting little snacks of sugar milk and has colic most of his first 6 months. It would seem in this new age we live in people have lost contact with the plain facts of life. It is the lack of common sense that causes people to need a plan to live by such as the nursing schedule. I am sure the schedule has been of help to many young mothers by causing them to unknowingly meet the baby’s need for the deeper cream received when the baby is really hungry and drains the breast. Without the schedule these same mothers would be tired, worried, and stressed, while their babies would be having colic or would be constipated because they were put on formula because they “couldn't digest mother's milk.” Yet, I have seen new mothers who followed the schedule to the minute and have skinny babies that scream. I wonder at their lack of natural instinct in following someone's ideas so closely.

The next BIG controversy that seems to have hit the normal “Back to Basics Homeschooling Family” is the issue concerning the family bed. This is also an issue where good common sense should rule the day. All my children were born in cool weather. Every night the temperature in the house would drop from cool to cold as the wood burning stove ran its course. My newborns wore tiny cotton hats to help hold their body heat, and they slept close to me in our king size bed. I never got up at night to nurse. I never even knew when the baby nursed. By the time the baby was walking and playing with the other children they were moved to their sibling’s bed (usually 3 to a bed). They would toddle in every morning to nurse before I got out of bed, or an older sibling would bring them and crawl in to join the crowd. It was a sweet time of cuddling with mama and daddy. If they found our door locked, they knew to wait their turn.

Even if I had lived in a house where the temperature never wavered from a comfortable 70 degrees, still I would have kept my baby in bed with me. It was never a consideration to put them in another room. After my kids were grown and I heard of the controversy over this issue, I went to the older ladies of our community, who each have 8 or 10 children, and asked them their opinion on the matter of nursing and having the baby sleep with you. Most gave me blank looks like they could not figure out what was wrong with me to ask such a silly question.
They all kept their babies in the bed (or within touching distance) until they are around walking age. They all nursed as often as the baby needed to nurse, but made sure the baby was not just taking snacks but emptying the breast so he would not be hungry for several hours. Most all the mothers have had a baby every 2 to 3 years, but seldom any closer. Heavy nursing has been the traditional means of birth control all down through the ages, allowing time between the pregnancies for the mother's body to get back in good shape to carry another healthy child. Most of the scheduled nursing ladies I have heard from say they began their monthly cycle soon after the baby was born, often getting pregnant by the time their newborn is 6 or 8 months old, thus, due to fatigue, were forced to stop nursing the first infant. Medical scientists have discovered that babies nursed for up to 2 years have a larger brain than babies fed formula. Women of Biblical times nursed their children until they were 5 years old. Remember the story of Samuel. Just for the record, I quit at 2-years-old.

So here you have a few facts and my 2 cents worth of common sense. Use it to make a decision that best suits you, your baby, and the life style your husband has chosen for your family.
Learn all you can from all points of view and then throw it all out and do what works best for you. Relax. Don’t chose sides and fight it out. It is not Bible doctrine. In departing from someone’s system you need not feel guilt or pride. The cows, goats, horses, and even rabbits have been doing it right all along and, if they could they would laugh that we “intelligent humans” ever bothered to discuss it.

Savannah helps Daddy get the oil changed.

She has Daddy totally wrapped around her little finger.

Me: "Adrian, can I take some pictures of you for my blog?"

Adrian: "Nooooooo" (laughing)

Me: "Pleeeeeeeease???"

Adrian: "Okay, how is this face?"

Perfect.

Happy 4th Birthday Adrian Jeremiah!

I love you!!!

How To Weigh Yourself

Just Good Stuff.

I did not write this article. I just thought it had some good points.
This is some great child training advice I read at Raising Godly Tomatoes here.


My Secret
Someone recently asked me what my "secret" was for raising such nice children. My quick, off-the-cuff answer was: "Say what you mean and mean what you say." Yes, I think if I had to put it into one sentence, that would be it. It's old-fashioned, but it works. If I could add just a little more to that, I'd say to keep your children close to you all the time so that you can see what they are doing and understand what they are thinking, and can reward or correct them as needed. I call that tomato staking.

To get a little more specific, here are some things I keep in mind all the time as I am raising my children. There are many more things, but these are what come to mind immediately. Of course they are really no secret, just ancient technics overlooked or forgotten in many homes today.

1. I keep my children close to me and watch them diligently.
2. I focus on their attitude and character more than their actions.
3. I teach them obedience early - beginning before age one.
4. I teach them what the word "No" means and that they must respect my authority to use that word.
5. I am both merciful and just. I praise and reward them when they are being good, yet I correct them faithfully when they are being bad.
6. I expect them to obey the first time I tell them to do or not to do something. I do not "count to three" or give repeated warnings.
7. I correct them with some immediate negative consequence (such as a verbal rebuke or a simple swat on the bottom) whenever possible, rather than a delayed consequence like removing a privilege or an "after-the-fact" spanking.
8. I occasionally do the old fashioned "stand in the corner" or "sit next to me until you can behave", but I never do the modern "time outs".
9. I don't "distract".
10. I never send my children to their rooms as a punishment.
11. I don't lose my temper, nag, whine, yell, beg, bribe, or "reason", to get my children to obey.
12. I keep my children away from negative outside influences as much as possible until they are older and better prepared to resist the temptations they will encounter.

I believe in God and have as my ultimate parenting goal to raise godly children who will in turn raise godly children. I love good and hate evil. I set standards for my children that I believe are appropriate for their age and pleasing to God. I try to determine what constitutes a godly child and aim at that. In order to make this training possible, I try to include my children in all that I am doing and train them as I live my daily life. I seek to have a visible attitude of loving kindness and approval toward my children. We enjoy each other (which is very easy once they have learned to be respectful and obedient).

For all of you Christian ladies with some time on your hands... the winter issue of Crowned with Silver is available FREE online.

http://www.crownedwithsilver.com/winter2007.pdf

It is a magazine for the modern Christian woman with and old-fashioned heart. A magazine with encouraging words on motherhood, marriage, and biblical femininity.

I hope it is as much of a blessing to you as it has been to me.

Burrrrrr! It's cold in Indiana!

The preschool years are not the time to teach reading or math. We should use life's most impressionable years to teach life's most important lesson: how to be happy!

-Richard and Linda Eyre, in "Teaching Children Joy"


Children are given to us - on loan - for a very short period of time. They come to us like flower seeds, with no pictures on the cover, and no guarantees. We don't know what they will look like, be like, act like, or have the potential to become.

-Katherine Kersey, in "Sensitive Parenting"

It is not what is poured into a student but what is planted that counts.
-Hildebrand

I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.
-Mark Twain

A Titus 2 Woman?

Titus 2:3 (KJV) The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. ...
7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. ...
10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
11 ¶ For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
15 ¶ These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

How Do I Drink My Water?



Steph at Advenures in Babywearing has tagged me...about my water container!?


At home, I drink from our water cooler, out of a Ball Mason jar, ice cold, no ice. I know, I'm a hillbilly. It makes it easy to keep track of how much I drink (usually 4 quarts a day). I use the Mason jar for several reasons: it's big, it has a lid for transportation purposes, and it's glass.


I drink an enormous amount of water. So do my kids. Ever since we got the water cooler it's become almost fun for the kids to drink water. We NEVER drink the tap water. We live out in the country, and have well-water, so it's almost scary to imagine what's in it (probably lots of fertilizer, and pesticides considering we live surrounded by thousands of acres of corn/bean fields).





I am also careful about the bottled water we drink. I learned about the dangers of fluoride and chlorine in drinking water a couple years ago.





As for bottled water I prefer the taste of Evian. Second would be Dasani.


Head over to Adventures In Babywearing, to see her container and water of choice.

Somehow the image dates on my digital camera got messed up. These were taken yesterday.

Isn't she getting big?

She learned how to read yesterday. (kidding)

All done Mama!!

My Reason for Homeschooling

By Anita Doran

*

I want to be the special potter,

Who molds and shapes my little daughter.

To keep her closely to my side,

To teach her why our Jesus died.

*

I think that she is doing great,

Especially since she's only eight.

She shops, she bakes, she mops the floor,

Has two cats she's responsible for.

*

She can read a product label

To see if it's fit for our table.

I teach her all about life, you see,

As she tags along with me.

*

And no matter where we roam,

We keep on learning, just like home.

We add a little mystery,

By learning our state's history.

*

Although she reads and writes and sings,

She's learning more important things.

Like love and kindness and God's word,

How to be humble, yet still be heard.

*

Sure it's hard and I have doubts,

"Am I doing this right?" "How will she

turn out?"

And my house gets such a mess!

Too many papers strewn, I guess.

*

Sometimes frustration rears it's head,

She didn't do what I said.

Yet, all in all, it is a charm,

To have my daughter on my arm.

*

If I ever have a doubt,

I get our big old Bible out.

In the book, I always see

That's this is how it's meant to be.

*

Side by side, day by day,

Teaching her the Godly way.

This is a poem that I found in my latest issue of NGJ, a FREE magazine. Visit www.nogreaterjoy.org for your FREE subscription.

T.G.I.F.

I am so glad it's finally Friday.

Baby Signing.
I finally got one of the 2 books I ordered, in the mail yesterday. It was Sign with your Baby by Joseph Garcia. My friend Jen, who signs with her baby Ethan recommended it.
I am anxiously awaiting Baby Signs: How to Talk with Your Baby Before Your Baby Can Talk by Linda Acredolo, Susan Goodwyn, Douglas Abrams that my friend Ashlee , from C.H.O.I.C.E.S. recommended.

I am so excited to get started signing with her. Apparently she is at the perfect age: 7 months.

Some of the benefits of signing with your baby are:

*Signing allows your infant to clearly communicate specific thoughts.

*Signing reduces frustration for your baby and for you.

*Signing won't delay verbal language development; in fact, it may accelerate it! Research shows that babies who sign usually begin to speak sooner and develop larger vocabularies than non-signing babies.

*Signing reinforces verbal language by added visual and kinesthetic emphasis to auditory input.

*Signing children tend to be more interested in books.

*Signing builds on babies' natural tendency to use gestures.

*Signing can help parents and pediatricians identify injuries, pain, and other ailments.

*Signing children can direct parents' attention toward potential dangers or concerns.

*Signing may actually improve a child's IQ!

Have a great weekend everyone! Has anyone seen the snow? It's missing here in Indiana.

Happy Wednesday.

As you may have noticed I have added some new links and blogs to my sidebar. My new favorite is this, Oh! and this!! I hope you enjoy them.

Just remember that all of the content on these sites may not be what I believe or even agree with. But I think we can learn so much from the experience of others. Especially those lives are so very different then ours.

Hope you are having a wonderful week! I am :)

Staci

Happy 2007

I love a fresh start.

I always, informally, make all sorts of New Years resolutions. I told myself that this year I wouldn't. I feel like if I make them, they will inevitably be broken. Well..not this year! DARN IT!

yeah. right.

Lose 15 more lbs. of baby weight

Read thru my bible. Twice.

Be a better wife, and mother.

Be a better testimony for my Lord and Savior.

Stop living beyond our means.

Simplify.

Do not buy things we want, and don't need.

Evaluate: need.

Give away, or throw away everything we don't need.

Improve my family's diet, and mine.

Especially mine.

Learn how to sew

The list just goes on and on. I'm off...to get started. Before I know, it will be time to start Christmas shopping. Again.

Happy 7th Birthday Austin

It's kind of challenging having his birthday 4 days after Christmas.

I offered to make his favorite meal, or take him out to the restaurant of his choice.

What does a 7 year old kid choose? Golden Corral. He LOVES the dessert buffet. Last time we ate there, he had a brownie, covered in ice cream, and sprinkles, and gummy bears. Yuck. Boys. :)

This is something I found at Adventures In Baby Wearing, if you have never researched the vaccine issue for yourself, PLEASE do yourself, and your children a favor..take 5 minutes and read this:

Stirring The Pot: What I Want Every Parent To Know

If possible, I'd love to avoid a debate. If anything, I just want this post to make you think and ignite a desire inside you to know more. I highly recommend you read this entire article without skimming. If you don’t read this article, then please at least read what I’ve copied from the article : Robert Kennedy Jr. Autism, mercury, and politics .Mounting evidence suggests that Thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative in children's vaccines, may be responsible for the exponential growth of autism, attention deficit disorder, speech delays, and other childhood neurological disorders now epidemic in the United States.Prior to 1989, American infants generally received three vaccinations (polio, measles-mumps-rubella, and diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis). In the early 1990s, public health officials dramatically increased the number of Thimerosal-containing vaccinations without considering the cumulative impact of the mercury load on developing brains.In a 1991 memo, Dr. Maurice Hilleman, one of the fathers of Merck's vaccination programs, warned his bosses that 6-month-old children administered the shots on schedule would suffer mercury exposures 87 times the government safety standards. He recommended that Thimerosal be discontinued and complained that the US Food and Drug Administration, which has a notoriously close relationship with the pharmaceutical industry, could not be counted on to take appropriate action as its European counterparts had. Merck ignored Hilleman's warning, and for eight years government officials added seven more shots for children containing Thimerosal.Mercury is a known brain poison, and autism rates began rising dramatically in children who were administered the new vaccine regimens. A decade ago the American Academy of Pediatrics estimated the autism rate among American children to be 1 in 2,500. Today, the CDC places the rate at 1 in 166, or 1 in 80 boys. Additionally, one in six children is now diagnosed with a related neurological disorder.These are the facts: In 1985, children were vaccinated for seven diseases. Now, that number is 16. That means children now endure about 37 separate vaccination encounters.Why it’s personal with me: Carter had known reactions within 24 hours of vaccinations at age 6 and 12 months. One time ending up in the ER. I have no idea why back then I did not look into this further, but I was still in the “I’ll trust my doctor and not my own instincts” mode. Noah was always sick as a baby so I can’t even track if his chronic illnesses and gut issues were vaccine reactions specifically. He has dealt with a neurological disorder for almost 3 years now, though, that still remains “unexplained.” We have since met other kids like Noah whose neurological disorders started the day of or close after a vaccination.
What's all the fuss if they've practically (not completely!) removed thimerosol from all vaccines? Well, if they had it in there before and knew it was bad, what else will they put in there? If they've been so secret about the mercury, what else are they keeping secrets about?I obviously can not stress enough how important it is for parents to at least be aware of this information. Do not feel condemned by me or defensive if you go about things differently than I do. It will not make me think any differently of you. I credit our personal experience with why I feel so strongly on this issue. I will be happy if every parent is informed, and if I ask You or your doctor “what’s in this shot?” I hope I do not hear “I’m not sure.” I would hope if someone offered your baby a drink out of a bottle of mystery-juice that you would ask what was in it before you let your baby drink it. I am sure most parents would. Why is it any different with something you actually inject into a child’s body? When we all are informed, aware, and concerned, then good changes can start happening- like possibly safer vaccines without harmful ingredients. Until then, why shouldn’t they just continue giving babies shots with the formaldehyde, aluminum, and thimerosol if no one’s complaining? If all vaccines are for your child’s well-being and not meant for any profit, then why would there be a need to have an advertisement for vaccines in Baby Talk, Parents, American Baby, & Parenting magazines? Doctors are human. They can be helpful. They are not God. They do not know everything and it is definitely possible for them to make mistakes regarding your child. In the end, only you as the parent are the one held accountable.Before you jump to judge me or comment, “what if my child gets the measles, chicken pox, and how do they go to school without their shots?” I recommend you visit the National Vaccine Information Center website. Go to your local library & check out some helpful books like The Vaccine Guide: Risks and Benefits for Children and Adults by Randall Neustaedter. Or Neil Miller’s Vaccines: Are They Really Safe & Effective? Or Evidence of Harm by David Kirby. Or What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Vaccinations by Stephanie Cave.
I have done my research. I know the statistics about all the diseases. I know about the recent chicken pox outbreaks and mumps outbreak... and I also know that the majority of people affected were vaccinated.
Read the news. This topic’s all the rage lately- on the news, on the web, in your paper. Stay informed and up-to-date on this important information. Do not choose this controversial topic to be the one you to which you say, “Ignorance is bliss.”

Thank you Stephanie, this was so well done. I couldn't have done it better myself :)

From Our Home to Yours...Merry Christmas!!

Are mothers supposed to love breastfeeding 24 hours a day?

by Glenda Dickerson, IBCLC. Reprinted with permission from the author.

If there is a day or week where you no longer feel like you are loving or even enjoying breastfeeding, does it mean that this is the right time to stop?

I have felt for years that many mothers wean because they thought they were supposed to love and/or enjoy breastfeeding 24 hours a day. Some of the mothers I have admired the most are mothers that breastfed in spite of not being in love with the act of breastfeeding. They breastfed because they knew it was the right choice for their babies.

Our culture has become so addicted to the concept that we are supposed to only do what makes us happy or brings us immediate joy, that we lose a lot of the good stuff along the way--pride in accomplishment, joy in fulfilling a commitment, feeling of achievement through meeting a goal. I don't think this means people are more selfish today than they were in the past, I just think they have been taught to have different expectations about what they are supposed to feel and how they should respond to those feelings.

Breastfeeding is the ultimate gift a woman gives her baby--because she chooses everyday whether to continue or to stop. Don't look at breastfeeding as something you will enjoy or even like all the time, but as a commitment to your child's health--similar to the commitment of staying married even when you don't particularly like your husband for a few days, or staying in college when it is really rough for a while. There are peaks and valleys with breastfeeding and sometimes you will thoroughly enjoy it, and sometimes you will resent it--but in the end you will not regret one day that you stuck with it, even though you were not feeling that joy 100% of the time.
When you are in a valley, rest assured that the joy you have felt with feeding in the past will reappear and you will be glad you waited it out.

Breastfeeding -- it's too important not to.

God's Simple Plan of Salvation

By Ford Porter

My friend: I am asking you the most important question of your life.

Your joy or your sorrow for all eternity depends upon your answer. The question is:

Are you saved? It is not a question of how good you are, nor if you are a church member, but are you saved? Are you sure you will go to Heaven when you die?

In the Bible, God gives us the plan of how to be born again which means to be saved. His plan is simple! You can be saved today. How?

First, my friend, you must realise you are a sinner. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
Because you are a sinner, you are condemned to die. "For the wages [payment] of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). This includes eternal separation from God in Hell.
"... it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27).

But God loved you so much he gave his only begotten Son, Jesus, to bear your sin and die in your place. "For he hath made him [Jesus, who knew no sin] to be sin for us ... that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" (2 Corinthians 5:21).
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
Although we cannot understand how, God said my sins and your sins were laid upon Jesus and he died in our place. He became our substitute. It is true. God cannot lie.

My friend, "God ... now commandeth all men every where to repent" (Acts 17:30).
This repentance is a change of mind that agrees with God that one is a sinner, and also agrees with what Jesus did for us on the cross.
In Acts 16:30-31, the Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas: "... Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved... ."

Simply believe on him as the one who bore your sin, died in your place, was buried, and whom God resurrected.
His resurrection powerfully assures that the believer can claim everlasting life when Jesus is received as Saviour.
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13).
Whosoever includes you. Shall be saved means not maybe, nor can, but shall be saved.
Surely, you realise you are a sinner. Right now, wherever you are, repenting, lift your heart to God in prayer.

Just pray:
"Oh, God, I know I am a sinner. I believe Jesus was my substitute when he died on the cross. I believe his shed blood, death, burial, and resurrection were for me. I now receive him as my Saviour. I thank you for the forgiveness of my sins, the gift of salvation and everlasting life, because of your merciful grace. Amen."

Just take God at his word and claim his salvation by faith. Believe, and you will be saved. No church, no lodge, no good works can save you. Remember, God does the saving. All of it!

God's simple plan of salvation is: You are a sinner. Therefore, unless you believe on Jesus who died in your place, you will spend eternity in Hell. If you believe on him as your crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, you receive forgiveness for all of your sins and his gift of eternal salvation by faith.

You say, "Surely, it cannot be that simple." Yes, that simple! It is scriptural. It is God's plan. My friend, believe on Jesus and receive him as Saviour today

If his plan is not perfectly clear, read this tract over and over, without laying it down until you understand it. Your soul is worth more than all the world.

"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" (Mark 8:36).
Be sure you are saved. If you lose your soul, you miss Heaven and lose all. Please! Let God save you this very moment.
God's power will save you, keep you saved and enable you to live a victorious Christian life.

Do not trust your feelings. They change. Stand on God's promises. They never change.

Where am I??

I just posted my first Thursday Thirteen....and it's Friday. It was up like 20 minutes before I realized what day it is :)

I guess I am just in a holiday daze..Christmas shopping is not done. The kids school books should be half way done..they are not. I'm panicking. MUST. FINISH.BOOKS. I don't know why I worry about the little things, I guess that's just who I am. The kids are doing so well with their school work this year...

Let me take a moment to brag on my oldest. Jackson, barely 9 years old has FINALLY decided he loves to read. He reads at least one novel a week. So far this school year he has read: Moby Dick, Treasure Island, Swiss Family Robinson, 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, Black Beauty, The Call of the Wild, Great Expectations, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, and many more.. he is like a little sponge. He amazes me more and more everyday.

And can this kid memorize? He has a new Sunday School teacher. A young man..that teaches the young boys sunday school. He plays games and has contests for prizes. Jackson recited ALL of Psalm 1, and ALL of Psalm 8...for this weeks class. This just amazes me because I can barely memorize 1 verse let alone an entire chapter. WOW.

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen States I have lived in

1. Colorado

2. Florida

3. Tennessee

4. Louisiana

5. Back to Florida

6. Back to Colorado

7. Virginia

8. North Carolina

9. Indiana

okay so there were only 7, feels like 13

I will finish up with states I would like to live in

10. Hawaii

12. Florida (again)

13. Texas ...I love Texas

if you didn't notice the trend...I love warm weather!!!

Head over to Karla's blog, for her Thursday Thirteen

I always enjoy the sunrise. This is the sunrise last week from my living room window. What was I doing up at dawn? Savannah's teething, enough said?

My ABC's

I've been tagged....Thanks Robin. You know the deal...if I tag you, copy and paste this to your blog, change all answers, and tag someone else. It's fun...play along.

A - Available or Single? Very married.
B - Best Friend? My husband of course. Then my sister Kelli.
C - Cake or Pie? Pie....or maybe cake....anything CHOCOLATE!!
D - Drink of Choice? Coffee, preferably Starbucks coconut latte.
E - Essential Item you use every day? again, coffee.
F - Favorite Color(s)? changes from day to day...today? chocolate.
G - Gummy Bears or Worms? neither. I don't care for candy...unless it's CHOCOLATE
H - Hometown? Broomfield Colorado
I - Indulgence? Coca-cola cake from Cracker Barrell
J - January or February? February..the closer to spring the better.
K - Kids and Names? 4 kids, all named after cities..Jackson, Austin, Adrian, and Savannah
L - Life is Incomplete Without? My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
M - Marriage Date? August 19,1995
N - Number of Siblings? 5 total. 3 older brothers (1 deceased), 1 younger brother and sister (twins)
O - Oranges or Apples? Oranges.
P - Phobias or Fears? Fear of something horrible happening to my kids (i.e. kidnapping, etc..) which makes me really paranoid about my kids going anywhere without an adult, public restrooms, babysitters that aren't family, etc...)
Q - Fave Quote? I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13
R - Reason to Smile? All the blessing in my life
S - Favorite Season? Summer!
T - Tag Three people... Michelle at Busy Busy Momma, Amber at Crazy Bloggin Canuk, and last but not least Ashlee at New Mama's Nest
U - Unknown fact about me? I have a scorpion tattoo on my left hip. (I add this to the looooong list of stupid things I did when I was 18)
V - Vegetable you don't like? Tomato's. Or is that a fruit?
W - Worst Habit? Giving unsolicited advice. A really annoying habit.
X - Xtremely BIG Husker Fan? No way. I'm from COLORADO, not Nebraska.
Y - Your fave food? MEXICAN
Z - Zodiac Sign? Scorpio, hence the scorpion tattoo. But, I do not follow zodiac signs, or horoscopes, etc..

I'm 6 months old!!!!!